Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Wholesalers urged to boost engagement and sales with digital tools

Wholesalers urged to boost engagement and sales with digital tools

As customers seek cost-cutting initiatives, wholesalers should support using digital efficiencies to meet these demands, a new report has suggested.

The UK Wholesale Online Report 2023, by market researcher Lumina Intelligence, provides wholesalers and suppliers with key insights to plan their e-commerce strategy for the year ahead.


The report also urges wholesalers to consider implementing open banking, a powerful tool for cutting costs for businesses and customers, as more frequent ordering has driven a decline in basket spend.

The report suggests that B2B WhatsApp API technology can help wholesalers deliver a more tailored service, boosting engagement and sales, adding that engaging with customers at the right time will be crucial for influencing impulsivity and purchase decisions.

Noting how Sugro and Bestway are exploring how WhatsApp can drive engagement for members, the report said digitalising information for customers via WhatsApp will be a key opportunity for cutting costs and boosting sustainability.

Wholesalers are also urged to collaborate with suppliers to optimise taxonomy and search functionality for customers, therefore improving experience. Bestway is best in class, as over one in three customers noted that their preferred method of receiving category advice is via websites/desktop, the report says.

For suppliers, online order frequency is up, highlighting an opportunity to communicate through the online channel. Suppliers should ensure that communications regarding promotions are easily accessible across digital channels, the report suggested as they have greater opportunities to disrupt web and mobile browsing than in-depot browsing. Push notifications and personalised ads can disrupt the shopper’s journey and boost engagement.

Suppliers also urged to open communications with customers on where they expect to find items. Almost 25 per cent of searches are refined as customers amend to achieve better results, and search terms including ‘vegan’ have soared in 2022. Digital spend should be in the right ratio to print spend for success in informing customers of categories, with websites being operators’ preferential way of finding out about categories.

More for you

Budget 2024: Local shops to face significant new pressure

(Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

(Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

Budget 2024: Local shops to face significant new pressure

Local shops will face significant new pressures as a result of today’s Budget, the Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has warned.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves' budget's impact will be felt unevenly across the UK’s 50,000 convenience stores, with some measures such as business rate relief and the increased employment allowance mitigating costs for smaller independent stores, while providing no help for chains and larger independent businesses.

Keep ReadingShow less
Post Office cash deposits and withdrawals
Post Office, DPD partners to rollout ‘Click and Collect’ services
Post Office, DPD partners to rollout ‘Click and Collect’ services

Parliament to launch inquiry into Post Office Horizon scandal compensation delays

Parliament is to launch an inquiry into delays in compensation settlements for sub postmasters affected by the Horizon scandal.

The newly-formed Business and Trade Select Committee will call ministers, subpostmasters and their lawyers to give evidence next week with a second session to follow in mid-November. The Committee’s chair, Liam Byrne MP told ITV News that there was “definitely a delay” in people coming forward for payment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Bacup Wine and Convenience shop, 34 Burnley Road, Bacup.

Robbie MacDonald via LDRS

Shop’s licence bid rejected over illegal vapes and ‘no regard’ for children’s safety

A Rossendale shop has had a licence bid rejected after repeatedly selling vapes to children and having illegal products on its premises.

Management at the Ibra Superstore at 34 Burnley Road, Bacup, have shown ‘no regard’ for children’s protection and safety, and have insufficient controls for licensing, Rossendale councillors have ruled.

Keep ReadingShow less
SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR retailer hits target to secure £100,000 free stock from James Hall

SPAR North of England retailer Dara Singh Randhawa’s family store has been awarded £100,000 of free stock after hitting all his targets since moving to the symbol.

Dara and his family, who have their SPAR store in Patrington in the East Riding of Yorkshire, joined SPAR through its association with James Hall & Co. Ltd in August 2023 having taken the decision to maximise the store’s potential.

Keep ReadingShow less
Pound Sterling bank notes
iStock

National Living Wage to increase to £12.21 in April 2025

The government has on Wednesday announced its acceptance of the Low Pay Commission’s (LPC) recommendations on the rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW).

The rates which will apply from 1 April 2025 are as follows:

Keep ReadingShow less